RoadVitals

2001 Pierce Custom Contender

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
1
Latest Nov 12, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Jul 26, 2011
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 1 NHTSA owner-reported complaint for the 2001 Pierce Custom Contender, most frequently naming the seat belts category. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 29 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1100.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
11V384000

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

Jul 26, 2011
6,803 units potentially affected
The defect: PIERCE HAS DECIDED THAT CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1995-2008 ARROW XT, DASH, CUSTOM CONTENDER, LANCE, ENFORCER, PIERCE ARROW, QUANTUM, SABER AND COMMERCIAL FIRE TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 2, 1995, THROUGH JANUARY 21, 2008, CONTAIN A SAFETY DEFECT. THESE VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH FUEL TANK STRAPS THAT MAY CORRODE DUE TO WINTER ROAD SALT OR LIQUID DE-ICING CHEMICALS. IF THE FUEL TANK STRAPS CORRODE SUFFICIENTLY, THE FUEL TANK SUPPORTING STRAPS MAY FRACTURE AND THE FUEL TANK MAY FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.
The risk: THE VEHICLES MAY LOSE POWER AND STALL. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK MAY RUPTURE AND SPILL DIESEL FUEL ON THE ROADWAY. EITHER OF THESE OUTCOMES MAY CAUSE A FIRE TRUCK OR SURROUNDING VEHICLES TO SLIP OR SLIDE ON THE ROADWAY SURFACE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: FOR FIRE TRUCKS THAT ARE LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD, DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK STRAPS AND REPLACE THEM IF NECESSARY WITH STAINLESS STEEL STRAPS FREE OF CHARGE. FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE OLDER THAN 10 YEARS, PIERCE IS NOT OFFERING A FREE REMEDY, BUT WILL OFFER FOR PURCHASE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANKS STRAPS AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSTALLATION. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-920-832-3000.
PIERCE MANUFACTURINGManufacturer number 74B218View on NHTSA.gov
01V322004

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Dec 11, 2001
54 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: FIRE TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL/ACCELERATOR PEDALS SUPPLIED BY WILLIAMS CONTROLS INDUSTRIES. THE WELD ATTACHING THE CLEVIS TO THE PLATE HAS INSUFFICIENT PENETRATION AND COULD ALLOW THE CLEVIS TO SEPARATE FROM THE PLATE.
The risk: IF THE CLEVIS SEPARATED FROM THE PLATE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN USE, THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO IDLE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE PEDALS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT PIERCE AT 1-888-974-3723.
PIERCE MANUFACTURING,INC.Manufacturer number 74B29View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Seat belts
Filed Nov 12, 2004
Crash reported3 injuries reported1 death reported

IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO PUT THE SAFETY BELT ON WHILE SITTING IN THE FACE FORWARD POSITION. ONE HAD TO TURN ALL THE WAY AROUND TO ATTACH THE SAFETY BELT. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099903
Incident
Oct 8, 2004

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

SB_766

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This bulletin covers the proper start-up and shut-down procedures, using the battery and ignition switches. Using an incorrect order of operations of the battery disconnect and ignition switches may cause unpredictable electrical system failures and may potentially void the warranty of the alternator and other electrical components.

PB_757

We are excited to share several updates to our Husky 3 foam system. This has been a collaboration of your feedback to improve durability, manage parts obsolescence along with industry changes with foam application.

PB_753

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

As a product improvement, Whelen has updated the design of the Pierce 600 Marker/Turn Light, while providing the same form, fit, and function of the original.

PB_751

ENGINE

Depending on custom chassis configuration, the oil check level plug and sight glass may prove difficult to view and access on certain vehicles. Installing the 90-degree fitting and cap will allow easier access for checking fluid level while topping off the Integrated Pump Transmission (IPT) with fluid.

PB_750

To improve the fitment and operational reliability of manual window cranks by installing a fabricated collar over the regulator splines, eliminating looseness and reducing effort when raising or lowering the window.

SB_747

IMMI, the creator and supplier for Rolltek and other Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) products, is implementing design changes due to obsolescence of select parts. Most recently, the AB8 Front Impact Protection (FIP) sensors are no longer available and cannot be ordered. If you believe there is an issue with the AB8 FIP sensor, please contact customer service for technical support. We now require all active and inactive diagnostic codes be included when starting a Technical Incident for an SRS issue. Having the codes at the start of the incident ticket process will provide efficient troubleshooting and increase the accuracy of the suggested corrective actions.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Pierce Custom Contender by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2011030—
2010030—
2009040—
2008051—
2007022—
2006021—
2005010—
2004010—
2003020—
2002010—
2001Viewing120—
2000010—
1999000—
1998000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.